Texts and emails, Wednesday 13 January 2010

Topic: NAMA

Panelists: Martin Mansergh, Michael Soden (former CEO of Bank of Ireland), Peter Mathews (banking executive), Elaine Hudson (lecturer and academic), and Paul Sommerville (head of private clients, Delta Index). More on the guests here.

The minister is right we still have a banking system, its a corrupt system and not a SERVICE to the people of ireland, set up a gov. Owned bank and lend to the economy again immediately. Keith

Will we please cop on and take a lead from Iceland. We cannot as a nation absorb these losses. It will sink us. Emer from Carlow.

Martin Mansergh described criticism of Bertie Aherns behaviour in acceptng money from businessmen as 'synthetic psuedo-ethical furores'. So much for his moral and ethical credibility to speak on anythng...Peter Curran, Newbrdge.

For goodness sake stop criticising the bank guarantee. It was the one demonstration of leadership and pragmatism by this government during the economic crisis and was the only really positive service done for small depositors and savers in this state since the start of the fiscal crisis. Mona, Rathmines.

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As we watch Haiti go down the tubes, are FF/Green voters sleeping well tonight? Foreign aid cut drastically while bondholders bailed out? Ruairi. Tullamore

How come the major investors did not withdraw their deposits in 2007 if 'everybody' knew things were 'coming down the line'

Why can't the government just set up a good bank and fill it with the borrowed money going into Nama?

We have been here before. I urge you to advise your panel and your viewers to PLEASE read the excellent book written in 2006 by Simon Carswell "SOMETHING ROTTEN - IRISH BANKING SCANDALS". In 1985, AIB unexpectly informed the Government of the appalling crisis loss it had incurred with its subsidiary ICI. AIB was "saved" then too. So it is deja vu all over again. Read this book and weep Vincent. Elaine

Why was the guarantee ever extended to existing bondholders? These investors could never withdraw their money early so there was zero risk of money leaving the banks. James Dublin

That man beside u is absolutely out of touch with the present financial MESS.I'v lost €8.30 from my dole payment just to appease the likes of HIM.Let him survive on €196 per week & see how he manages.His anger to your questions proves he hasnt got a clue & i'm disgusted by his attitude.

In leaving cert economics back in 1995 we were taught that banks must hold a reserve of deposits against lending! Bankers get an F. Finbar

"We did what was necessary" says Martin Manseragh and how dare anybody disagree. Why does he not sort out the floods they get in Clonmel or is that not his job either. Who elects him or for what? Albert